Sabah tourism bucks the slump talk with 4.1pc rise

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 20 — Sabah's tourist arrivals have increased by 4.1% from January to August, debunking rumors of a decline in the state's tourism industry. Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment, stated that there has been growth in both international and domestic arrivals during this period.

He added that international arrivals grew by 6.9% and domestic visits by 2.1% year-on-year. This marks the second Matta Fair held in Sabah this year, following the April edition. The state government is actively promoting the event to boost tourist numbers and highlight Sabah's appeal to global audiences. The fair, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, features 83 booths with 28 tour and travel agencies, three hotels and resorts, two state tourism offices, and four travel service providers.

The April edition attracted around 37,499 visitors, generating approximately RM24 million in sales. This year's edition aims to attract 30,000 visitors and RM28 million in sales. The fair's theme, "Discover More. Travel More. Experience More," encourages Sabahans to explore destinations within Sabah, Malaysia, and abroad.